Intradural Spinal Arachnoid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

The present case reports a 13-year-old patient with an intradural arachnoid cyst, which manifested itself with a sudden loss of strength and sensitivity in the lower and upper limbs and a severe pain in the cervical and thoracic region. On examination, a lesion displayed as an intradural hematoma; however, a laminotomy was performed and it was realized that the lesion was an arachnoid spinal cyst of the cervical-dorsal spine.

Alterações motoras em crianças e adolescentes pós-cirurgia de tumor intramedular: estudo retrospectivo / Motor changes in children and adolescents after intramedullary tumor surgery: a retrospective study

Introdução: Os tumores intramedulares são raros e correspondem a menos de 10% das neoplasias do sistema nervoso central. O crescimento tumoral pode comprimir feixes nervosos e resultar em perda da função motora e sensorial. A abordagem cirúrgica é o principal pilar de tratamento e visa à máxima ressecção tumoral com preservação da função. A reabilitação destes pacientes é individualizada se analisarmos os déficits funcionais e prognósticos. Objetivo: Analisar a idade e sexo dos pacientes, tipo e localização do tumor, tratamento cirúrgico e tratamento oncológico dos pacientes com tumor intramedular. Descrever as alterações motoras decorrentes desse tratamento. Método: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Instituto de Oncologia Pediátrica através de dados de prontuários de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2016 de pacientes com tumor intramedular. Dados analisados: idade ao diagnóstico e no momento cirúrgico, gênero, diagnóstico e localização do tumor, tipo de tratamento oncológico, cirurgia realizada, sequela pré e pós-cirurgia, indicação de coletes ortopédicos e tempo de uso. Não houve necessidade de aplicação do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido por ser um estudo retrospectivo. Resultados: Foram selecionados doze prontuários de pacientes. A média de idade dos pacientes ao diagnóstico foi de 10 anos e 8 meses e média de 32 dias até a abordagem cirúrgica. Sete pacientes eram do sexo feminino e cinco do sexo masculino. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a laminectomias, sendo três submetidos também a protocolo quimioterápico e radioterápico, e dois a protocolo quimioterápico. Dois pacientes foram orientados a usar colar cervical e dois orientados a usar colete ortopédico. Todos pacientes apresentaram alteração da marcha e diminuição de força muscular nos grupos pré e pós-cirúrgico. Conclusão: A idade média dos pacientes ao diagnóstico de tumor intramedular foi inferior a 11 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino. Os diagnósticos oncológicos e as localizações tumorais foram variados. Sete pacientes evoluíram com deambulação independente após atendimento fisioterápico. A indicação de colares e coletes cervicais precisa ser mais estudada e sistematizada.(AU)

Introduction: Intramedullary tumors are rare and account for less than 10% of neoplasms of the central nervous system. Tumor growth may compress nerve bundles and result in loss of motor and sensory function. The surgical approach is the main pillar of treatment and aims at maximum tumor resection with preservation of function. The rehabilitation of these patients is individualized if we analyze the functional and prognostic deficits. Objective: To analyze the age and sex of the patients, type and location of the tumor, surgical treatment and oncological treatment of patients with intramedullary tumor. Describe the motor changes resulting from this treatment. Method: Retrospective study conducted at the Pediatric Oncology Institute through data from medical records from January 2013 to December 2016 of patients with intramedullary tumor. Data analyzed: age at diagnosis and at the time of surgery, gender, diagnosis and location of the tumor, type of cancer treatment, surgery performed, pre and post-surgery sequelae, indication of orthopedic vests and time of use. There was no need to apply the Free and Informed Consent Term because it is a retrospective study. Results: Twelve patient charts were selected. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 10 years and 8 months and mean of 32 days until the surgical approach. Seven patients were female and five were male. All patients underwent laminectomies, three of which were submitted to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and two to chemotherapy protocol. Two patients were instructed to wear cervical collar and two oriented to wear orthopedic vest. All patients presented gait alteration and decreased muscle strength in the pre and post-surgical groups. Conclusion: The mean age of the patients at the diagnosis of intramedullary tumor was less than 11 years, with a predominance of females. Oncological diagnoses and tumor sites were varied. Seven patients evolved with independent walking after physical therapy. The indication of necklaces and cervical vests needs to be further studied and systematized.(AU)

Asociación entre diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Association between diastematomyelia and medullo epithelioma: case report and literature review

Aim: Case report of association between diastematomyelia and medulloepithelioma. Method: 14-year-old patient with lower back pain and recent neurological deficit in extremities. CT and MRI scans of the thoracolumbar spine revealed a diastematomyelia. Intraoperative examination confirmed the presence of a spinal dysraphism and associated tumor, which was almost completely resected. Result: Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with medulloepithelioma. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: Diastematomyelia may manifest during adolescence as lower back pain and neurological deficit. The association of this malformation with a neoplasia is extremely rare; the present case describes concomitance with medulloepithelioma.

Reporte de un caso de asociación de diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma. Método: Paciente de 14 años con dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico en extremidades de reciente instalación. En TAC y RNM de columna dorsolumbar se pesquisa una diastematomielia. La exploración intraoperatoria, comprueba la presencia de una disrafia espinal y un tumor asociado al defecto, que se reseca casi en su totalidad. Resultado: Los hallazgos histopatológicos e inmunohistoquímicos son concordante con meduloepitelioma. La paciente tuvo un postoperatorio satisfactorio. Conclusión: La diastematomielia se puede manifestar durante la adolescencia como dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico. La asociación de esta malformación, con una neoplasia es muy poco frecuente, el presente caso describe la concomitancia con un meduloepitelioma.

Análisis de la marcha en lesionado medular: a propósito de un caso / Gait analysis in spinal cord injured population: a case report

La lesión medular en edad pediátrica constituye una patología poco frecuente, con una incidencia menor que en la edad adulta. Supone una especial relevancia por las graves secuelas a nivel físico, emocional, social, familiar y económico. El análisis de la marcha en población lesionada medular es una herramienta diagnóstica actual y muy eficaz para poder prescribir un acertado y adecuado tratamiento rehabilitador. Se describe el caso clínico de un varón con lesión medular a nivel cervical, que requirió el uso de la toxina botulínica para su tratamiento de marcha. Se hizo un estudio pre y postratamiento para comprobar la efectividad de la terapia en la consecución de los objetivos propuestos.

Gait analysis in spinal cord injured population is a very effective current diagnostic tool to prescribe an appropriate rehabilitation treatment. Spinal cord injury in childhood is a rare condition, with lower incidence than in adulthood. It carries particular importance due to physical, emotional, social, family and economic consequences. A case of a man with cervical level spinal cord injury has been described; for his treatment it is necessary the use of botulinum toxin. It was made a pre and post-treatment study to test the effectiveness of this therapy. This clinical case, along with a literature review, will help clinicians in the best treatment of this pathology.

Sequestered lumbar disc herniation mimicking spinal tumor / Hérnia de disco lombar sequestrada simulando tumor espinhal

The occurrence of herniated disc simulating diseases in neuroimaging it?s an uncommon situation. However, due to changes that occur in sequestered disc fragment, some cases can mimic spinal neoplasms. Thus, we present the case of a female patient, 60 year-old, with left back pain and left leg weakness. Left lower limb presented with strength grade IV, positive 45 degress Lasègue?s signal and patellar areflexia. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an expansive left centro-lateral lesion at L4-L5 level, hypointense on T1W, hyperintense on T2W, with peripheral contrast uptake, causing compression of the dural sac and L5 nerve root. A hemilaminectomy was performed, with complete excision of the lesion. Histological analisys confirmed discal hernia. Disc herniation is a condition characterized by the displacement of the disc content to the spinal canal, predominantly in the lumbar region, and manifesting as radiculopathy. The fragment sequestration occurs in 30% of the cases and is characterized by loss of continuity with remaining disc. MRI exams generally allow diagnostic confirmation; however, there may be diagnostic confusion with tumors, arachnoid cysts and abscesses. The inflammatory reaction occurred in the disc fragment produces the differences in MRI signal. The fragment is hypointense on T1W, hyperintense on T2W, with peripheral enhancement after contrast. Malignancies and Schwannomas have homogeneous or heterogeneous uptake. The epidural abscess is isointense on T1W and hyperintense on T2W, with homogeneous or peripheral enhancement, similar to discal herniation. Thus, sequestered disc herniation can mimic other space-occupying lesions, being necessary a surgical approach to obtain material for histopathological analysis and diagnostic confirmation.

A ocorrência de hérnias de disco simulando outras patologias em neuroimagens é incomum. Entretanto, devido às alterações que ocorrem no fragmento discal sequestrado, alguns casos podem mimetizar neoplasias espinais. Assim, apresentamos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 60 anos, com lombalgia à esquerda e fraqueza na perna esquerda. O membro inferior esquerdo apresentava força grau IV, sinal de Laségue positivo a 45 graus e arreflexia patelar. Ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) de coluna lombossacra evidenciou lesão expansiva centrolateral esquerda ao nível de L4-L5, hipointensa em T1, hiperintensa em T2, com captação periférica de contraste, determinando compressão do saco dural e raiz de L5. Realizou-se hemilaminectomia com excisão completa da lesão. A análise histológica confirmou hérnia discal. Hérnia de disco é uma patologia caracterizada pelo deslocamento do conteúdo discal para o canal vertebral, predominando na região lombar e manifestando-se como radiculopatia. O sequestro do fragmento ocorre em 30% dos casos e se caracteriza por perda da continuidade com o disco remanescente. Exames de RNM geralmente permitem a confirmação diagnóstica, entretanto, pode haver confusão diagnóstica com tumores, cistos aracnóideos e abscessos. A reação inflamatória ocorrida no fragmento discal produz as diferenças de sinal na RNM. O fragmento é hipointenso em T1, hiperintenso em T2, apresentando realce periférico após contraste. Neoplasias malignas e Schwannomas apresentam captação homogênea ou heterogênea. Os abscessos epidurais podem apresentar realce homogêneo ou periférico, semelhante às hérnias discais. Assim, hérnias de disco sequestradas podem mimetizar outras lesões ocupando espaço, sendo necessária abordagem cirúrgica com obtenção de material para análise histopatológica para confirmar o diagnóstico.

Manifestações clínicas de tumores raquemedulares / Clinical manifestations of rachimedular tumors

A medula espinhal é a parte do Sistema Nervoso Central envolta pela coluna vertebral. Neoplasias primárias ou metastáticas podem causar compressão medular e acarretar quadros clínicos característicos de acordo com os tratos espinhais afetados. A anamnese e o exame físico são de suma importância para abordagem inicial.

The spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system protected by the vertebrae spine. Primary or metastatic neoplasm tumors could cause spinal compression resulting in characteristic clinical manifestations due to a specific spinal tract involved. History and physical exam have a role part as a first step approach in these patients.

Spinal intradural arteriovenous fistula mimicking intramedullary tumor and associated with a giant intracranial aneurysm / Fístula arteriovenosa intradural espinhal mimetizando tumor intramedular e associado com aneurisma intracraniano gigante

Spinal intradural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are a rare type of neurovascular malformation. Many a time hemodynamic disturbs associated to these entities can cause edema with subsequent myelopathy. On MRI study, this edema can mimic an intramedullary tumor. We report a rare case of spinal intradural AVFs mimicking an intramedullary tumor, which also were surprisingly associated with a giant intracranial aneurysm. We highlight in detail the MRI findings in intramedullary lesions, and also emphasize that these entities requires as careful differential diagnosis as supplementary investigation of the neuroaxis looking for other simultaneous neurovascular pathologies.

Fístulas arteriovenosas espinhais intradurais são um tipo raro de malformação neurovascular. Muitas vezes, distúrbios hemodinâmicos associados a essa entidade podem causar edema com subsequente mielopatia. Em estudos de ressonância magnética, esse edema pode mimetizar um tumor intramedular. Relata-se um caso raro de fistula arteriovenosa espinhal intradural mimetizando um tumor intramedular, que também estava associado a um aneurisma cerebral gigante. Destacam-se em detalhes os achados de RM nas lesões intramedulares, assim como se enfatiza que essas entidades requerem tanto um diagnóstico diferencial criterioso quanto uma investigação complementar do neuroeixo procurando por outras patologias neurovasculares associadas.

Diagnosis of, surgical technique for and treatment results from medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism: experience with 38 patients / Diagnóstico, técnica cirúrgica e resultados nos lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo vertebral: experiência com 38 pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether microsurgical removal of medullary lipomas and untethering of the medulla is a safe and efficient procedure. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out on 38 patients with medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism who underwent operations between January 1986 and January 2008, at the Neurosurgery Department of the Federal Hospital for State Public Servants, in Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: No deaths occurred in this series, and there was no worsening of motor or bladder function among the patients. Seven individuals presented improvements in their motor deficit. Nine patients presented improvements in bladder function. Three individuals with trophic lesions achieved wound healing. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical removal of medullary lipomas associated with spinal dysraphism proved to be a safe procedure without deaths and with a low morbidity rate, and several patients achieved improvements in their neurological symptoms.

OBJETIVO: Observar se a remoção microcirúrgica dos lipomas medulares e a liberação da medula da tração exercida pelo lipoma é um procedimento seguro e eficaz. MÉTODO: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo de 38 pacientes com lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo espinhal operados entre janeiro de 1986 a dezembro de 2009 no Serviço de Neurocirurgia do Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. RESULTADOS: Nessa série não ocorreu nenhum óbito, ou piora da função motora ou vesical em nenhum paciente. Observamos melhora do défice motor em 7 pacientes. Nove pacientes apresentaram melhora da função vesical. Três indivíduos com lesões tróficas apresentaram cicatrização das suas feridas. CONCLUSÃO: A remoção microcirúrgica dos lipomas medulares associados ao disrafismo espinhal se mostrou segura, sem nenhum óbito, com baixa morbidade e com melhora dos sintomas neurológicos em vários pacientes.

Hemangioma vertebral del arco posterior con extensión extraósea y sintomatología neurológica: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Vertebral hemangioma of the posterior arch with subsequent extraosseous extension and neurological symptoms: case report and literature review

Introducción: El hemangioma vertebral es el tumor más común de la columna vertebral, se identifica hasta en 11 % de las autopsias. Es tipificado como una malformación benigna vascular de crecimiento lento; en ocasiones involucra los elementos posteriores, asociándose a compromiso neurológico. Por lo general es asintomático, encontrándose de forma incidental al estudiar el dolor de origen espinal en busca de otra patología; ocasionalmente produce manifestación neurológica. La extensión extraósea intrarraquídea con compromiso neurológico ha sido poco informada y representa un reto terapéutico. Caso clínico: Adolescente femenina con hemangioma vertebral de tamaño inusual del arco posterior con extensión hacia el conducto raquídeo que ocasionó manifestaciones neurológicas y ameritó tratamiento quirúrgico para su resección y fijación transpedicular. Conclusiones: El hemangioma vertebral es una lesión asintomática que no requiere tratamiento específico. Solo en algunos casos es necesario el tratamiento quirúrgico, que debe llevarse a cabo oportunamente cuando hay compresión neurológica, para evitar secuelas permanentes. El crecimiento extraóseo intrarraquídeo con deterioro neurológico es una presentación inusitada.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral hemangioma is the most common benign spinal tumor and is found in 11% of postmortem studies as a slow-growing benign vascular malformation. It usually involves the vertebral body and sometimes the posterior vertebral elements. When the posterior elements are involved, spinal cord compression with neurological symptoms are seen more often. Vertebral hemangiomas exist as a continuum of manifestations and lesions ranging from the common asymptomatic forms to the rare compression lesion. Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangioma with cord compression and neurological symptoms is a rare condition and represents a treatment challenge. Surgical options are open resection, embolization or vertebroplasty. CLINICAL CASE: We report a case of a vertebral hemangioma with extraosseous extension to the spinal canal with an unusual size and osseous component in the posterior elements. This tumor caused neurological manifestations and was surgically treated with posterior decompression and stabilization with transpedicular screws and rods. Clinical outcome was good. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral hemangioma is normally an asymptomatic benign lesion not requiring specific treatment. Only in a few cases is surgical treatment required. When neurological compromise is present, early treatment should be carried out before the presence of permanent paralysis.

Síndrome lumbociático de etiología distinta a hernia discal / Etiology of lumbosciatic syndrome different from lumbar herniated disk

La causa más frecuente de lumbociática es la hernia de disco y la patología asociada de estenosis foraminal, espondilolistesis y entesopatía de la articulación facetaria, incluyendo quistes sinoviales. Existen una serie de condiciones que pueden presentar un cuadro clínico similar, y el problema es detectar estas causas infrecuentes en un universo muy grande de pacientes con patología discal. Esto crea una situación potencialmente peligrosa, en la cual se podría interpretar la sintomatología secundaria, por ejemplo a un tumor, como producida por una hernia discal, por otro lado asintomática. En base a una historia clínica cuidadosa y al uso racional de los exámenes complementarios, se puede sospechar aquellos casos que pudieran albergar esta patología de baja incidencia, pero de gran importancia clínica. Se revisan las causas más importantes que pueden provocar un síndrome lumbociático y que deben incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial, como el síndrome piriforme, tumores intradurales y del nervio ciático y fístulas durales.

The most frequent etiology of sciatic pain is herniation of the nucleus pulposus and associated entesopathic diseases, including synovial cysts. There are several conditions that can present with a similar clinical picture, and the clinician is confronted with the problem of detecting this infrequent occurrences. This creates a potentially dangerous condition of thinking that an asymptomatic disc herniation is causing the symptoms that are originated higher by a tumor for example. With a careful history and judicious use of ancillary examinations, specially NMR, most of the cases can be suspected. The principal causes of non-discal sciatica are reviewed, including piriform syndrome, tumors of the spine and sciatic nerve, and dural fistulae.

Spinal cord hamartoma with pseudopancreatic cyst.

A 2-year-old boy presented with weakness of both lower limbs with bladder and bowel involvement and history of frequent falls. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a T2 altered signal intensity enhancing mass lesion seen in the spinal epidural space extending from sixth cervical to fourth thoracic vertebrae, which was compressing the adjacent spinal cord. Histopathology of the lesion was suggestive of hamartoma. A brief review of the literature including its embryogenesis is discussed here. The child subsequently developed pseudopancreatic cysts possibly because of repeated falls leading to blunt trauma abdomen.

Surgery for spinal cord lipomas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results after surgery for spinal cord lipomas. METHODS: The authors report their results of management of 63 non consecutive random children with spinal cord lipomas treated over a period from 2001 to 2005, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, a tertiary care neurosurgical centre. RESULTS: There were 63 cases consisting of 32 (52%) conus lipomas, 14 (22%) filum lipomas, 14 (22%) lipomeningomyelocele (lipoMMC), 2 (2.5%) cases of lipomyelocystocele and one (1.5%) case of mixed lipoma. None of the patients who were asymptomatic before surgery deteriorated neurologically, irrespective of the type of lipoma till the last follow up. In those patients with preexisting neurological deficits, the improvement in motor, sensory and bladder abnormalities was only to an extent of 15 %, 16 % and 21 % respectively. None of the children with preexisting neurological deficit regained overall normal function. Nevertheless, the improvement in symptoms after surgery made the patients lead a better social life. Only 6 % of patients developed deterioration in neurological function after surgery, all of them occurring in patients already having pre-operative deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend prophylactic surgery which is safe and effective in preventing neurological deficits, irrespective of the type of lipoma. Most of the patients benefit only to some extent even after surgery, once they develop neurological dysfunction. A close long term follow up is recommended in order to detect neurological deterioration even in children operated prophylactically.

Spinal granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma) presenting as acute cord compression in a nonleukemic patient.

The case of a previously healthy 24-year-old man diagnosed with extradural thoracic granulocytic sarcoma with no evidence of bone marrow or other hematological involvement is described. The tumor was removed totally by microsurgery. The histopathological examination was consistent with granulocytic sarcoma. Granulocytic sarcomas are most commonly found in the context of an acute myelogenous leukemia or in chronic myelogenous leukemia. They rarely have been reported in otherwise healthy patients without any evidence of systemic disease. A review of the literature revealed only 14 more nonleukaemic cases with granulocytic sarcoma causing thoracic spinal cord compression.

Cystic cervical intramedullary schwannoma with syringomyelia.

We report a case of cervical intramedullary cystic schwannoma associated with segmental syrinx in a young adult without evidence of neurofibromatosis. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Management of primary spinal chondrosarcoma: report of two cases causing cord compression

Os condrosarcomas são tumores malignos, raramente localizados no interior do canal espinhal, com prognóstico dependente do grau histológico do tumor, idade do paciente e margens cirúrgicas livres. Esses tumores apresentam pouca resposta à radio e quimioterapia. O tratamento ideal consiste em ressecção tumoral em bloco, condição particularmente difícil em se tratando de tumores causando compressão medular, devido à localização da lesão, comprometimento da estabilidade axial e necessidade da manutenção ou recuperação da integridade da função neurológica do paciente. Relatamos dois casos de condrossarcomas causando compressão medular, um na coluna cervical e outro na torácica, submetidos a cirurgia com esvaziamento tumoral seguido de remoção das margens, atingindo-se ressecção total e melhora das funções neurológicas em ambos os casos. Um paciente se encontra há 7 anos e outro há 1 ano livre de recorrências, ambos com funções neurológicas preservadas. Associação entre condrosarcoma e tumor dependente de estrógeno é confirmada clinicamente pelo presente estudo. Embora uma ressecção em bloco dos condrossarcomas deva ser tentada quando possível, deve-se considerar uma ressecção com fragmentação tumoral em casos específicos, podendo-se atingir, como demonstrado nos presentes casos, períodos livres de recorrência e longo tempo de sobrevida.

Hemangioma capilar da medula: relato de caso / Capillary hemangioma of the spinal cord: case report

Descrevemos um caso raro de hemangioma capilar da medula em mulher de 79 anos, que se apresentou com paraparesia progressiva, no período de 8 meses. Radiologicamente, esta lesão lembra outros tumores vasculares da medula espinhal. A paciente foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico com boa recuperação. Em relação à histopatologia, a lesão assemelhou-se ao hemangioma capilar da pele e tecidos moles, composto de lóbulos de pequenos capilares associados a vasos nutridores, envolvidos por uma cápsula fibrosa. É realizada uma revisão dos casos publicados na literatura, assim como uma discussão dos aspectos clínicos, radiológicos, histológicos e do diagnóstico diferencial da lesão. O conhecimento da sua existência pode evitar erros de diagnóstico desta lesão benigna.

Recurrent intramedullary cervical ependymal cyst.

We report a rare case of high cervical intramedullary ependymal cyst in a young boy. This was associated with atlantoaxial dislocation. After partial removal and marsupialization, the cyst recurred and needed radical total resection.

Co-existing spinal cord and brain cavernous angiomas.

Cavernous angioma of spinal cord is an extremely rare vascular malformation. The association with brain cavernous angioma is even uncommon. There should be a high index of suspicion for a spinal cord lesion whenever a brain cavernous angioma is diagnosed, in cases with appropriate suggestive spinal symptoms. We present a case of cavernous angioma of the brain involving the genu of the corpus callosum, co-existing with spinal cord hemangioma. Involvement of the corpus callosum by a cavernous angioma is also uncommon. Intraventricular extension of this lesion was also detected.

Extramedullary astrocytoma of conus region : a short report.

A 55 year old man presented with features of cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well demarcated intradural extramedullary tumour at L2 vertebra. At surgery it was found to be well encapsulated and had no attachment to spinal cord or root. Histopathology including immunohistochemistry confirmed it to be a low grade astrocytoma.